The UNprepared Environment

Perhaps almost half of one of atrium groups consist of lefties - at least 1/3 of a class of more than 20.

In my smallest class, 1/4 of them are lefties.

The smeared hand. 

And guess who didn't think about the ramifications for calligraphy. ;) Yep.

New resource to obtain:
Left-Handed Calligraphy (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

Local Level 3 Blues

Just some random musings as I work through my own continued preparation as a level 3 catechist.

Recently, there was an announcement of continued openings at the level 3 formation leaders course offered by the National Association. I had previously not considered it, because I am not quite ready to be a level 3 formation leader - I had hoped they would offer the level 2 version of this course this year as they did level 1 last year, but they are alternating the alternate years I think is the plan?

The announcement got me thinking and praying. One session of that course would be in on special needs in the level 3 atrium and another on applying to the level 3 atrium Montessori principles from the academic Montessori environment. I have AMI Montessori training and would *love* to collaborate on the Montessori principles at the elementary level - which practices to bring in, which am I perhaps going over-board on. It would be so great to collaborate with others.

And I do have a group of children I have not yet ever had to address in an upper level atrium; thus a collaboration with others with Montessori background and/or CGS formation at all levels would be ideal.

Collaboration.

I did inquire if I could attend based on not intending to be a level 3 formation leader in the near future (by the time the next one is offered I will likely be looking to do level 3 already, so the current timing is actually quite ideal). I was not told, "No," but I was given a list of reasons not to attend; the following morning I received a message asking me for my contributions to the above two topics.

It is not that I don't want to contribute... It is that I want to *collaborate.* I love working with level 3 children, I love applying my Montessori background to fully enrich the atrium - but in many ways I am working in a void - and I am sensing there is some missing point of balance. I sense that the point of balance missing is another adult in my local area with whom to collaborate. Perhaps I have been spoiled in recent years though:

• I was alone when I started level 1, but my formation was such that it was fully balanced and I had the support I needed for the first 2 years. 
• After that I have only been in atriums with pretty much full support from the priest, other catechists, parents and other parishioners. 
• When I started the local level 2 atriums, there was already a catechist who, when I met her upon my move to this area (and she was in the level 1 formation already) said, "I am here to learn this so that I can take it back to my sacramental preparation children." Thus, there was already a catechist for that level, ready, willing and intending! Along with another catechist who intended to see it all the way through, we were able to set up a partial level 2 in our first year of having level 1. 
• From there, mostly without my involvement, the local program took a small step back, then moved forward again. I spent those years inviting homeschool families to my home for very small atrium sessions. 
• Finally, the local program was ready for level 3 - and they paid for half of my level 3 formation. I am the only level 3 catechist in the local area. This is not to puff myself up - I am lonely. 
• Last year, I worked with a partially trained catechist in our newly established level 3. I was able to discuss things with her - modifications of the work expectations, the materials, how to create the materials. I knew I appreciated her presence and her assistance and sometimes her guidance - and now I miss her dearly. 
• I love the other adults I have in there now: a mom who was in level 3 with me last year, but has no official CGS formation - she is a middle school teacher so her interactions with the children are great; another mom who has level 1 formation and has been in all three levels as a catechist or assistant - she has so much exuberance for the atrium that the children feed off that positivity; another mom on occasion who is just great for stepping in and exploring the work with the children - she is great at keeping them on track - no official formation, but has been in all 3 levels at one time or another; a dad who was in a mix of all levels last year with his children - this year is with me for 1 level 3 atrium and 1 multi-level atrium - there is a bit more collaboration there ---- but all of them take my word on almost everything and question very little, if anything at all. I appreciate their confidence in me! Really! I need collaboration too. 
• The CRE is wonderful but only has formation through level 2. I can collaborate a bit with her but there are limitations. 

I have all of these benefits - and have been so blessed.

So why am I so lonely? Because it's not about me - it's about the relationship of the Child with the Holy Spirit.


I just need someone to off-set my strong ideals! Or maybe make them better. Fine-tune them. Or throw some of them out altogether.


Yes, I work in another atrium setting which is shared with other catechists trained all the way through - but I work after-school when the other adults are not there. Also, it is a Montessori school so the dynamics in a 120-150 minute atrium session with Montessori school children already at school are very different from public school children coming for a 90 minute atrium once a week. Even at level 1 within a Montessori-school-atrium, the practical life area can be stripped down, the atrium does not need to include walking on the line. At level 2, God with No Hands is done in the classroom; the timeline work will correlate with their work in the classroom. The children come in prepared and they have a longer session. It is wonderful - I receive such inspiration for all my atrium spaces by moving between them all throughout the week. But it doesn't cover the need for a local level 3 person for collaboration in our particular level 3 (public school children) atrium.

Would the formation leaders course have fully assisted me? No. But it would have provided some of the needed balance, some collaboration on the special needs concerns, and definitely helped me pinpoint the balance of academic Montessori and level 3 CGS.


So those of you reading this, please pray for me - that God will provide. That it will work out according to His plan, not mine.

(the course is going on right now as this post is scheduled to go up - and 2 particular struggles just came to a sharp point - please pray for me!)

Epiphany: The Visit of the Magi - Matthew Chapter 2

Glorious Epiphany, when the Kingship of our Lord was first recognized by the Gentiles!


Let us explore this chapter, on an adult level and see what riches it reveals...





Scripture copied from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mt/2

First read, the whole thing in your own Bible - read it thoroughly first; then read it again, with each of the corresponding footnotes. My notes and thoughts are here in blue. What are your thoughts?

The style here would be a very preliminary introduction for adults and for older children. We would take turns reading the verses either one at a time or in paragraphs as the child/adult felt comfortable. Then we would review the narrative itself; define unfamiliar words; discuss questions that arise; and look for the message contained.

Within the atrium we would focus on the Visit of the Magi in level 1 (but not with the notes I provide here); build on it in level 2 (still not entirely with the notes I provide here) and at level 2 add the Flight into Egypt and why (the Innocents). At level 3, repeat all, and go more in-depth as the children's maturity and experience takes us.

The Visit of the Magi.^*1When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,^* behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

The use of the word "when" does not denote that it happened the same day, but it could. It would be best to go back to the original words used here before drawing any conclusions. 
2saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star^* at its rising and have come to do him homage.”^a

The children always recognize the prophecy (see footnotes). 

3When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.^*5^b They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

The fact he had to ascertain the time of the star's appearance, despite the use of the word "newborn" indicates that we need to go back to the original language used; and that some time has passed. Clearly the star appeared before the Magi left their own home; but did it appear at the Incarnation (Annunciation), or did it appear at his actual birth? If "newborn" still fits based on the original language, is it possible that the term means something different in that culture than it does today? Perhaps newborn means any child under age 3 (i.e. still nursing, since at that time most children nursed until age 3)... that is my conjecture. I would love to study the original language here. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

The children all say, "Liar! Scoundrel!"9After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

A newborn; now a child. How long were the Magi in Jerusalem? 

Or: what are the original terms used here? 10They were overjoyed at seeing the star,

Could the star not be seen in Jerusalem? What could this mean? 11^* c and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The house. The child. With Mary. But Joseph would not have left the stable the night Jesus was born - there were visitors! The shepherds! Would he have left Mary to fend for herself? Miraculous birth or not, she'd just ridden a donkey how many days, arrived late at night and now was nursing a newborn baby? 

It would seem that some time has passed; they have been moved to a home. Jewish culture suggests that the next day, when the baby was born, and people found out about the baby, some room would have been found. Remembered, they arrived late at night - no room at the time, but perhaps now with people awake, and perhaps some people had put in their information to the census and left already.... just my own thoughts. 

Another thought - if we want to consider the Circumcision, the Purification of Mary, the Presentation in the Temple. Perhaps they stayed in Bethlehem intentionally long enough to take care of these things. Hence, there would have been at least 40 days, and potentially more. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The Flight to Egypt.13^* When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,^* and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Again the word "when" - if it means immediately, then perhaps Joseph came in while they Magi were still there; maybe he was in a back room and they just didn't "see" him. Perhaps he was working. In any case, it would seem that at least a few hours actually passed before he had his dream. 
14Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.15^* He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet^d might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants.16When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.

We can see that this passage very likely occurred before verse 15. We could really start this verse, "In the meantime..."

Some people suggest it was mental illness and vengeance that caused him to choose "2 years old and under" - and I don't deny those issues! But consider the next words: "in accordance with the time had had ascertained from the magi." Jesus was definitely under 2 years old, probably not quite close to to 2 years old for Herod to "round up" like that. 

Is it possible Joseph found work in Bethlehem and they stayed on a few months? Could Jesus have been closer to a year old? 

After reading through the infancy narratives in Luke as well, another thought: Could they have intentionally been looking to move to Bethlehem? Joseph was of the house of David; Mary was originally from Nazareth; but Joseph actual domicile at the time is not listed. If they were looking to move there, it would explain "house" and "child" and "two years old and under."17Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

18^* e “A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be consoled,

since they were no more.”

The Return from Egypt.19When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt20and said,^f “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”^*21He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod,^* he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.23^* g He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”

Mary's home-town. The question, "What good comes from Nazareth?" becomes a proclamation: "What Good comes from Nazareth!"

* [2:1–12] The future rejection of Jesus by Israel and his acceptance by the Gentiles are retrojected into this scene of the narrative.

* [2:1] In the days of King Herod: Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi: originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge. Matthew’s magi are astrologers.

* [2:2] We saw his star: it was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall advance from Jacob” (Nm 24:17), though there the star means not an astral phenomenon but the king himself.

* [2:4] Herod’s consultation with the chief priests and scribes has some similarity to a Jewish legend about the child Moses in which the “sacred scribes” warn Pharaoh about the imminent birth of one who will deliver Israel from Egypt and the king makes plans to destroy him.

* [2:11] Cf. Ps 72:10, 15; Is 60:6. These Old Testament texts led to the interpretation of the magi as kings.

* [2:13–23] Biblical and nonbiblical traditions about Moses are here applied to the child Jesus, though the dominant Old Testament type is not Moses but Israel (Mt 2:15).

* [2:13] Flee to Egypt: Egypt was a traditional place of refuge for those fleeing from danger in Palestine (see 1 Kgs 11:40; Jer 26:21), but the main reason why the child is to be taken to Egypt is that he may relive the Exodus experience of Israel.

* [2:15] The fulfillment citation is taken from Hos 11:1. Israel, God’s son, was called out of Egypt at the time of the Exodus; Jesus, the Son of God, will similarly be called out of that land in a new exodus. The father-son relationship between God and the nation is set in a higher key. Here the son is not a group adopted as “son of God,” but the child who, as conceived by the holy Spirit, stands in unique relation to God. He is son of David and of Abraham, of Mary and of Joseph, but, above all, of God.

* [2:18] Jer 31:15 portrays Rachel, wife of the patriarch Jacob, weeping for her children taken into exile at the time of the Assyrian invasion of the northern kingdom (722–21 B.C.). Bethlehem was traditionally identified with Ephrath, the place near which Rachel was buried (see Gn 35:19; 48:7), and the mourning of Rachel is here applied to her lost children of a later age. Ramah: about six miles north of Jerusalem. The lamentation of Rachel is so great as to be heard at a far distance.

* [2:20] For those who sought the child’s life are dead: Moses, who had fled from Egypt because the Pharaoh sought to kill him (see Ex 2:15), was told to return there, “for all the men who sought your life are dead” (Ex 4:19).

* [2:22] With the agreement of the emperor Augustus, Archelaus received half of his father’s kingdom, including Judea, after Herod’s death. He had the title “ethnarch” (i.e., “ruler of a nation”) and reigned from 4 B.C. to A.D. 6.

* [2:23] Nazareth…he shall be called a Nazorean: the tradition of Jesus’ residence in Nazareth was firmly established, and Matthew sees it as being in accordance with the foreannounced plan of God. The town of Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament, and no such prophecy can be found there. The vague expression “through the prophets” may be due to Matthew’s seeing a connection between Nazareth and certain texts in which there are words with a remote similarity to the name of that town. Some such Old Testament texts are Is 11:1 where the Davidic king of the future is called “a bud” (nēser) that shall blossom from the roots of Jesse, and Jgs 13:5, 7where Samson, the future deliverer of Israel from the Philistines, is called one who shall be consecrated (a nāzîr) to God.

a. [2:2] Nm 24:17.

b. [2:5–6] Mi 5:1 / 2 Sm 5:2.

c. [2:11] Ps 72:10–11, 15; Is 60:6.

d. [2:15] Hos 11:1.

e. [2:18] Jer 31:15.

f. [2:20] Ex 4:19.

g. [2:23] 13:54; Mk 1:9; Lk 2:39; 4:34; Jn 19:19.

Not Quite Christmas

It is not quite Christmas and I have a hard time believing it.

Advent slipped away. Amidst what? Not the shopping (I've bought groceries once this past month and all gifts this year are home-made or already purchased); not the parties (we really minimize those - just one thus far - all others will be during the Christmas season); not the decorating (we decorate on Christmas eve).

Amidst the vitriolic words directly towards others, including myself. Amidst reading and hearing about the evil attitudes of people in the stores. Amidst the job losses. Amidst hearing stories of consumerism. Amidst the stories of mental illness and the sufferings of families.


It doesn't feel like Christmas. Perhaps this was what the first Christmas felt like: a world in need of a Savior.

A world filled with bitterness. Filled with accusations against another's morality. A world filled with lack of understanding; lack of trying to understand. A world devoid of peace and goodwill towards one's neighbor.

And today these things coming from Christians.

If that is how non-Christians see Christians, no wonder they would rather stay away. Far away. I don't blame them.

No wonder they laugh at us for saying "Jesus is the reason for the season" as they put up signs saying, "Use reason for the season!" implying that Jesus could not be what we claim Him to be.

Because we can't even get His teachings right - His teaching on morality and accusing one's neighbor and planks and splinters. Therefore, how could we possibly get right an understanding of His birth? And death? and resurrection?

Something to ponder next time one is tempted to call into question a stranger's 'Christianity'. Are we judging splinters through our planks?


So yes. Perhaps it does feel like Christmas. That first Christmas. A world filled with disbelief. And vitriolic hatred - because that is what it is when Christians behave with such malice, with such worldly consumerism. The world was full of it that first Christmas. Then, just a few months after that first Christmas, innocent children were slaughtered in the name of murdering a newborn King - by a man with a mental illness.

Sound familiar yet?


The truly faithful were begging for Him to come then; the truly faithful are begging now. Search your heart - are you begging for Him to come now? Or are you hoping for another day, another year, another lifetime?

Perhaps it is time to prepare for the coming of Jesus into our own hearts. Our own stony, cold hearts. That is what Advent was supposed to be about. Is supposed to be about. Preparation for His coming - not the first time; but the second time - the Parousia. When God will be all in all.

Prepare our hearts to receive Him - all of Him, in all of us.

It begins NOW.

It is not quite Christmas - there is not peace in our hearts. But doesn't that mean it IS quite Christmas?


It is not quite Christmas. Christ is not quite present.

Can we make it happen? Can we be ready for Him?

Only then, can it truly be Christmas. As He intended it.

It begins NOW.

Power of Doing Good

I was perusing ancient e-mails to see if I could find any more details about the artwork I shared yesterday - I only found the messages sent to everyone who could have entered the atrium and possibly accidentally removed that drawing - but I did find the following message sent to my assistant my first year of atrium - towards the end of the school year. This would have been a year before the shared artwork from yesterday.

It was a hard time in my life. And I so desperately needed the spiritual support of those around me. I am ever so thankful for those people who took me in and embraced me despite the porcupine quills I put up around me!

In the last three weeks, the belt on my van "mysteriously" shredded (in an unnatural manner), my hair has been partially burned, my son has fallen one inch and needed an ER trip for 4 staples to the head, my van has been broken into with my cell phone stolen, odd chunks of something found burning in my oven, two particular children have cried for hours for no reason whatsoever quieting only when beginning to pray the Rosary, money "mysteriously" disappearing....the list goes on - it all has to do with my work with two particular apostolates: the atrium and the society of St. Margaret of Cortona. The more I am involved in these two pursuits, the stranger and more numerous the unexplainable occurrences. 

Interestingly enough - looking back - and sometimes even now - it is entering the atrium that those things stop happening. It is praying the rosary that those things stop happening. It is connecting myself with the Holy Spirit that those things stop occurring.

Early in the Morning My Song Shall Rise to Thee

Psalm 92:1-2 “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”

Hm. See - a morning person I am NOT. Unless you count going to bed just before dawn giving love in the morning ;) And at that point I have been faithful all night! 

This image is far later in the day than it is as I write this! 

Our home schedules are shifted later in the day - our scheduled activities are typically mid-afternoon and later, with one online class late Tuesday morning for my son. We arrive back home from evening activities around 8 p.m. and I do NOT want to ship my son off to bed already. We both need our down-time, re-settle time, story-time, prayer-time, prepare for the next day, some quiet time before going to bed and sleeping restfully. So it is much closer to 10:00 for him. By then, my night-owl-ness has firmly kicked in and I work for several more hours - the number varies throughout any given month depending on many factors - but it can be assumed that I am most productive while burning the night candles ;) 

When I rise, usually about 6 hours later, I rise with the sun, and am well-rested and ready for a full, productive day layered in our built-in prayer times. 

So what does this have to do with the atrium? 

There are two things that get me out of bed in the pre-dawn hours of late. One of them is occasional enough to be only a minor nuisance (tae-kwon-do belt tests and tournaments) - but what could POSSIBLY get me out of bed so early in the morning that the birds haven't yet spoken - one day a week every. single. week. ???? 

As I type this, the rain is pouring down heavy, the clouds are so thick, I think the sun should be peeking around about now, but it is still just about pitch-black outside. And I am awake. And I'm ok with it, although that bed is still calling my name! 

The level 3 atrium starts at 9:00 this morning (the morning I type this - though I schedule it later) and I like to be there at least an hour early so that I can be collected and ready - and typically there is someone (a parent, a catechist, an early student) who wants my attention for something - and I want to be available for that and still have my own needs met. 

But I am so tired, I can't even eat, which means I likely won't eat until after atrium. So Sunday mornings are days of fasting for me. 

But what makes it all worth it? The children! Yes! Sharing with the other adults! Yes! 

But more than that? 

Stepping away. To a different place. A place out of time (just ask the children who are routinely dismissed at least 5 minutes late!). A place where the worries of the outside world have slipped away and I have no commitments except to BE. To BE with the children. To BE with the adults. To BE in the presence of God and simply serve Him in the immediate needs and relationships of those people around me. 

When I go back home, it is back to e-mails and orders and deadlines and post office issues (don't get me started! as I type this another early bird is sending me a message that her package appears delayed at the post office) and neighbor noise and traffic and bills and debt and clutter I just want gone and homeschooling and all those typical worries of the average American. We don't NEED all these worries - we just need to be present to people. Yet, I pile it all on myself. 

I pray, this Advent, that the spirit of the atrium will be allowed (by me!) to pour out into the rest of my life. That I can peacefully work through the issues at hand and truly BE PRESENT to those around me. 

That is the lesson I receive from the atrium every time I sacrifice my morning sleep hours. And it is so worth it. 

Thus on these mornings, I can truly sing, "Early in the morning, my song shall rise to Thee!"

Just as soon as I get the frog out of my throat ;)